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File Name

index.cpd

▼

Item Description

Title

Sports

Format (IMT)

image/jpeg

File Name

yearb_2003_126.jpg

Transcript

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photo by AHen Cernosek
Michael Bourn,
outfield
.330 average
23 stolen bases
photo by Nathan Lin
Cole Bruce,
infield
.278 average
.506 slugging
Rayner Noble,
head coach
9 years, 331-224
3 Super Regionals
l/H FAIU IN COLLEGE WORLD SWB BID
by GERONIMO RODRIGUEZ
The Cougar baseball team's 2003 season told stories of
prospects on the rise, a coach hungry for that big win and a
team refusing to quit, all of them flowing into one another as
the season peaked into one for the ages.
After an up-and-down season, head coach Rayner Noble's
team flashed its grit in the opening game of the Super
Regionals to defeat Rice, 5-2.
But, as twists and turns would have it, the Cougars' season
ended after the crosstown rivals rallied with two consecutive
wins to advance to the College World Series, and eventually
win the national title.
The Cougars (37-30) finished the season ranked in four
national polls, including No. 16 in the Collegiate Baseball poll.
Losing the core of the team to the MLB Amateur Draft, the
Sugars will bust out the claws to reclaim those rankings.
Juniors pitcher Brad Sullivan and closer Ryan Wagner were
two of the Cougars marking their final seasons at UH with
awards and records.
Sullivan, who was drafted at the No. 25 slot by Oakland,
Posted a 6-8 record with 154 strikeouts, only four away from
breaking the UH record.
Wagner, who was the 14th pick overall by Cincinnati, earned
* UH-record 15 saves and, with 16.8 strikeouts per nine innings,
*ased a 39-year-old NCAA Division I record.
I With guys like these gone, new players must step up for the
sugars to continue telling their story — not just about next
•eason, but the one about a winning baseball program.
Above: Junior outfielder Gabe Lucas was a key contributor during
the Cougars' 2003 season. UH struggled early in the season but pcikcd
at the right time.
Facing page: The Cougars ended their season with a loss to eventual
NCAA National Champion Rice in Game 3 of the Super Regionals at
Reckling Park on June 9.
photos by Nathan Lindstrom